Shutoff system for water valve

ABSTRACT

An automatic valve actuator unit and method for use with an associated manual shutoff valve configured to permit or restrict the flow of fluid through an associated supply pipe. The unit comprises a housing, an attachment mechanism for securing the housing to at least one of the associated supply pipe or manual shutoff valve, and an actuator at least partially supported in the housing and having an output shaft extending from the housing. The output shaft includes a locating member supported at a distal end thereof for non-rotatingly engaging a surface of a valve handle of the associated manual shutoff valve adjacent a point of attachment of the handle to the associated manual shutoff valve, the locating member configured to center the output shaft over an axis of rotation of the handle of the associated manual shutoff valve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof International Application No. PCT/US2016/066548, filed Dec. 14, 2016,which application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing dateof U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/270,673, filed Dec.22, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/338,009,filed May 18, 2016, which applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Water for use in buildings or other structures is typically providedthrough a water line which supplies water to the building from a watersource, such as a municipal water provider or well, for example. In atypical installation, water enters the building via a main or primarysupply line and then branches out within the building via secondarylines to various fixtures (e.g., faucets, toilets, spigots, etc.) and/orappliances (e.g., clothes or dish washing machines, ice makers, waterheaters, etc.). A shutoff valve is typically provided to shutoff flowfrom the water source to the structure. Such shutoff valves are oftenball or gate valves that can be manually actuated when water flow is tobe shutoff.

Automated water shutoff systems have been developed to automaticallyclose the shutoff valve in the event of a leak or flooding condition.Such systems generally include an automated valve and one or moresensors positionable in various locations to monitor and detect thepresence of water. For example, a sensor may be placed near a waterheater to monitor the space around the water heater for leaks. Whenwater is detected, the sensor triggers the automated valve to close.

Such systems generally require one or more professionals forinstallation. For example, a plumber may be needed to replace anexisting manual shutoff valve with an automated valve. Thus, typicalsystems have not traditionally been considered suitable fordo-it-yourself installation by, for example, a typical homeowner.

Attempts have been made to retrofit existing manual shutoff valves withan actuator to thereby convert a manual valve to an automatic valve.Such attempts, however, have generally had limited application forvarious reasons. For example, a wide range of shutoff valve types andinstallation configurations make it difficult to develop aone-size-fits-all actuator. Previous actuators have required theinstaller to precisely position the actuator relative to the shutoffvalve to ensure proper operation. This can be difficult fordo-it-yourself consumers depending on the particular existing shutoffvalve arrangement. Thus, installation of such prior art actuators stillis not a task within the skills of a typical do-it-yourself consumer.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure sets forth a system and method for automaticallyclosing (and/or opening) a manual water shutoff valve in response to adetected condition (e.g., water leak, temperature, no occupancy, etc.)The system includes an automatic water valve shutoff unit mountable toan existing shutoff valve. The unit includes a mounting structure thatis easily adaptable to a variety of valve sizes and configurations.Various sensors are operably coupled to the shutoff unit. When aprescribed condition is sensed by one or more of the sensors, theshutoff unit is activated to close the manual shutoff valve.

In accordance with one aspect, an automatic valve actuator unit for usewith an associated manual shutoff valve configured to permit or restrictthe flow of fluid through an associated supply pipe is set forth. Theunit comprises a housing, an attachment mechanism for securing thehousing to at least one of the associated supply pipe or manual shutoffvalve, and an actuator at least partially supported in the housing andhaving an output shaft extending from the housing. The output shaftincludes a locating member supported at a distal end thereof fornon-rotatingly engaging a surface of a valve handle of the associatedmanual shutoff valve adjacent a point of attachment of the handle to theassociated manual shutoff valve, the locating member configured tocenter the output shaft over an axis of rotation of the handle of theassociated manual shutoff valve.

The unit can further include a handle engaging member fixed to theoutput shaft for rotation therewith, the handle engaging member having au-shape cross-section for engaging opposite sides of the handle of theassociated manual shutoff valve. The handle engaging member can extendradially from the output shaft and can be configured to engage thehandle of the associated manual shutoff valve at a location spaced fromthe axis of rotation of the handle. The attachment mechanism can includea clamp assembly having first and second cooperating clamp members, thefirst and second cooperating clamp members being movable within thehousing to adjust a point of attachment of the housing. The first clampmember can include a clamp block supported for sliding movement withinthe housing between an upper and lower position, and the second clampmember can include a removable u-shape clamp. The unit can furtherinclude an adjustment member for adjusting the position of the clampblock within the housing, the adjustment member operative to move theclamp block between the upper and the lower positions. The adjustmentmember can include a lead screw including a threaded shaft with anon-circular cross-sectional portion, and a handle member including atubular portion telescoped over the threaded shaft, the tubular portionincluding a non-circular portion cross-sectional portion correspondingin shape to the non-circular cross-sectional portion of the shaft, thehandle member being slidable axially along the threaded shaft between afirst position whereat the non-circular cross-sections are not axiallyaligned and the threaded shaft and handle member are not rotationallyinterlocked, to a second position whereat the non-circularcross-sections are at least partially aligned thereby rotationallyinterlocking the handle member and the threaded shaft for actuation ofthe lead screw.

The unit can further include a quick-release member movable between alocked and unlocked position for permitting or restricting withdrawal ofthe u-shape clamp from the housing. The locating member can include acavity for telescopically receiving a handle nut of the associatedmanual shutoff valve. The cavity can be cylindrical, and a peripheralend wall of the locating member can be configured to abut the handle ofthe associated manual shutoff valve. The actuator can include abattery-powered electric motor operably connected to the output shaftvia a gear train, the battery-powered electric motor being supported bythe housing at a position between the attachment mechanism and theoutput shaft.

In accordance with another aspect, a system comprises at least onesensor configured to detect the present of water and the automatic valveactuator unit as set forth herein. The sensor is configured to transmita signal to the automatic valve actuator unit to close the associatedmanual shutoff valve when water is detected.

In accordance with another aspect, a method of converting a manualshutoff valve to an automatic shutoff valve comprises providing anautomatic valve actuator unit comprising a housing, an attachmentmechanism for securing the housing to the manual shutoff valve oradjacent structure, and an actuator at least partially supported in thehousing and having an output shaft extending from the housing, theoutput shaft including a locating member supported at a distal endthereof and a valve handle engaging member, positioning the automaticvalve actuator unit over the manual shutoff valve, centering theautomatic valve actuator unit by telescoping the locating member over ahandle fastener of the manual shutoff valve such that the output shaftis aligned with a rotational axis of the manual shutoff valve, securingthe automatic valve actuator unit to the manual shutoff valve oradjacent structure with the attachment mechanism, and coupling the valvehandle engaging member to a handle of the manual shutoff valve.

The attachment mechanism can include a clamp assembly having first andsecond cooperating clamp members, the first and second cooperating clampmembers being movable within the housing to adjust a point of attachmentof the housing, and wherein the securing includes leveling the automaticvalve actuator unit by moving at least one of the clamp members withinthe housing. The securing can further include positioning the firstclamp member on a first side of the manual shutoff valve or adjacentstructure, inserting the second clamp member into the housing such thatthe manual valve member or other adjacent structure is trapped betweenthe first and second clamp members, and clamping the manual shutoffvalve or other adjacent structure therebetween by drawing the first andsecond clamp members together with an adjustment member. The secondclamp member can be releasably secured in the housing by a quick-releasemember movable between a first position permitting insertion of thesecond clamp member into the housing and restricting withdrawal of thesecond clamp member from the housing, and a second position permittinginsertion and withdrawal of the second clamp member from the housing.

In accordance with another aspect, an automatic valve actuator unit foruse with an associated manual shutoff valve configured to permit orrestrict the flow of fluid through an associated supply pipe comprises ahousing, an actuator at least partially supported in the housing andhaving an output shaft extending from the housing, means for locatingthe output shaft over an axis of rotation of the handle of theassociated manual shutoff valve, and means for securing the housing toat least one of the associated supply pipe or manual shutoff valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary system in accordance withthe present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary water valve shutoff unitmounted to a water pipe adjacent a shutoff valve in accordance with thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a first side elevational view of the exemplary water valveshutoff unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a second side elevational view of the exemplary water valveshutoff unit of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the exemplary water valve shutoff unit ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the exemplary water valve shutoff unit of FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary water valve shutoffunit taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary water valve shutoffunit taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9A is a partial cut-away perspective view of the exemplary watervalve shutoff unit with the release handle in a first position;

FIG. 9B is a partial cut-away perspective view of the exemplary watervalve shutoff unit with the release handle in a second position;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the exemplary water valve shutoffunit of FIG. 2, but with an adapter for engaging a knob of a gate valve;and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the gate valve adapter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of exemplary embodiment(s) is merelyillustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention,its application, or uses. Exemplary embodiments can be incorporated intovarious water supply systems (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial,etc.). Similar reference numerals and letters refer to similarcomponents in the following figures. Once a component is described inone figure, it may not be discussed or further described in thefollowing figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary automatic water leak detection andshutoff system in accordance with the present disclosure and identifiedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The system 10 generally includesan automatic valve actuator in the form of a water valve shutoff unit 12operatively connected to a shutoff valve 14 of an existing plumbingsystem, such as in a residence, building or other structure. It will beappreciated that the shutoff valve 14 can be any suitable shutoff valvesuch as a ball valve or a gate valve that is typically open and closedby rotating a knob or lever. The shutoff valve 14 in the illustratedembodiment permits or restricts flow from a water source such as amunicipal water supply, a well, or other source to the downstream waterfixtures and/or appliances within the structure. A meter M can beincluded for measuring the flow of water. The meter M can be configuredto communicate with the water valve shutoff unit 12.

The water valve shutoff unit 12 of the illustrated embodiment includesan actuator 16 that, as will be described in more detail below, isoperatively connected to the handle or lever of the shutoff valve 14 andis configured to rotate the handle or lever to move or cycle the valvebetween opened and closed positions. The water shutoff valve unit 12further includes a controller 18, a power supply 20 and a communicationinterface 22. The controller 18 can include any suitable controller,microprocessor, or the like. The power supply 20 can include an AC powersupply connected to an outlet of a home, or a DC power supply such as abattery, for example. The communication interface 22 can include anysuitable wired or wireless communication interface (e.g., wifi,Bluetooth, NFC, Ethernet, etc.) As will be described in more detailbelow, the controller 18 is configured to send a signal to the actuator16 to close and/or open the valve in response to data received by thecommunication interface 22 from one or more water sensors 28.

Water sensors 28 are configured to sense the presence of a predeterminedcondition, such as water, in one or more locations and transmit a signalindicative of sensed water to the water valve shutoff unit 12. It willbe appreciated that any suitable wireless communication protocol can beused to transmit data between the sensors 28 and the communicationinterface 22. In some embodiments, an optional hub 30 is providedthrough which the sensors 28 are configured to communicate with thewater valve shutoff unit 12. The optional hub 30 can be an existing homeautomation hub, for example, or any other intermediary device suitablefor communicating with both the sensors 28 and the water valve shutoffunit 12. While three sensors 28 are illustrated in FIG. 1, it will beappreciated that virtually any number of sensors can be provided asneeded depending on a particular application. In a typical residentialinstallation, sensors would be placed near water consuming appliancessuch as refrigerators, water heaters, etc. as well as any plumbingfixtures within the home such as toilets, sinks, bathtubs, showers, etc.In addition, sensors may typically be placed in basement locations nearsump pump pits, condensation drains, etc.

Each of the sensors may typically include sensor circuitry designed todetect the presence of water as well as a power source such as one ormore batteries, for example. It should be appreciated that a wide rangeof sensors can be used in accordance with the present disclosure andthat such sensors can be configured to communicate either directly withthe water valve shutoff unit 12 or indirectly via a hub (e.g., hub 30),which may be a home automation unit that is configured to monitor a widerange of household activity, in addition to the sensors, such aslighting, home entertainment systems, security systems, etc.

In operation, the system 10 monitors for the presence of water atsensors 28. When water is detected by one or more of the sensors 28, asignal is sent to the water valve shutoff unit 12. The signal isreceived by the communication interface 22, which then communicates thesignal to the controller 18. Controller 18, in response to receiving thesignal, generates and transmits a “valve close” signal to the actuator16 to close the shutoff valve 14. Actuator 16 is then energized to closethe shutoff valve 14. In other instances, such as when a sensor detectsa water from a source other than the building water supply (e.g., rain,sump pump overflow, etc.), the controller can instead (or additionally)generate an alert or sound an alarm.

In a typical installation, once the water valve shutoff unit 12 receivesand processes the signal from a sensor and closes the shutoff valve 14,the shutoff valve 14 is maintained in the closed position until manuallyreopened by the consumer or a technician. This helps to ensure that thecondition leading to the sensor sending the signal to the shutoff unit12 is investigated and rectified prior to the shutoff valve beingreopened. In other configurations, the water valve shutoff unit 12 canbe configured to open the shutoff valve 14 by energizing the actuator 16in a reverse manner. To this end, a “reset” or “reopen” button (notshown) can be provided on the unit 12.

Turning to FIGS. 2-8, an exemplary water valve shutoff unit 12 isillustrated mounted on a main water pipe 30 adjacent a shutoff valve 32.It will be appreciated that the water valve shutoff unit 12 isoperatively connected to the shutoff valve 32, which is configured topermit or restrict flow through the inlet pipe 30. In the illustratedembodiment, the shutoff valve 32 is a ball valve that includes a valvebody 34 and a handle 36 for moving the ball between open and closedpositions. As shown in FIG. 2, the shutoff valve 32 is in the openposition (with the handle 36 pointing parallel along the pipe 30 towardsthe downstream direction). Aspects of the present disclosure areapplicable to other types of valves and valve configurations, such asgate valves, for example.

The water valve shutoff unit 12 generally includes a housing 37 whichcan be made of plastic, metal or other suitable materials. The housing37 supports, among other things, an attachment mechanism 40 for securingthe housing 12 to the pipe 30. As will be described in more detailbelow, the attachment mechanism engages the pipe 30 and is adjustable toaccommodate various valve types and configurations. In the illustratedembodiment, the water valve shutoff unit 12 is supported on pipe 30 at aposition upstream of shutoff valve 32 by attachment mechanism 40. Ofcourse, other installations or valve configurations may necessitatemounting the water valve shutoff unit 12 in other positions.

The water valve shutoff unit 12 is further supported by a locatingmember 42 extending from the housing 37. As will be described below,locating member 42 abuts an upper surface of valve handle 36 and istelescoped over, but not rotationally engaged with, valve nut 44securing the valve handle 36 to the valve body 34. A handle engagementmember 46 surrounds each side of the handle 36 for moving the handle 36ninety (90) degrees between the open and closed position. The handleengagement member can be a multi-piece structure.

The locating member 42 and handle engagement member 46 are eachremovably coupled to an output shaft 48 which transmits torque from anactuator 50 to effect rotation of the valve handle 36 engaging member 46in clockwise and/or counterclockwise directions. In the illustratedembodiment, the output shaft 48, locating member 42 and the handleengagement member 46 are keyed together for rotation by correspondingnon-circular cross-sectional portions thereof. A retainer clip RC has anopening 47 (see FIG. 5) through which the output shaft 48 can pass. Theretainer clip RC is slidable between a locked position and an unlockedposition for securing/releasing the locating member 42 and handleengagement member 46 to/from the output shaft 48. In the lockedposition, the edges of the opening 47 of retainer clip RC engage in aslot SL (see FIG. 7) of the output shaft 48 to restrict axial movementof the locating member 42 and handle engagement member 46 relative tothe output shaft 42.

Referring now to FIG. 5, which is an exploded view of the water valveshutoff unit 12, the main components of the device will be described.The housing 37 generally includes a base housing portion 54 having acomponent cavity, and a cover housing portion 56 for enclosing thecomponent cavity. The following components are fully or partiallysupported within the component cavity: the attachment mechanism 40, adrive unit 58 including the actuator 50, a power supply 60 for supplyingpower to the drive unit 58, and a user interface 62 for displayinginformation to a user and/or receiving input from the user. Each ofthese components will now be described in more detail.

Attachment Mechanism

The attachment mechanism 40 is configured to secure the water valveshutoff unit 12 to pipe 30 or other structure by clamping around thepipe 30 (or other structure). In addition, the attachment mechanism 40is configured to be adjustable to change a vertical position ofsecurement to the pipe 30 (or other structure) to allow installation anduse of the water valve shutoff unit 12 with a wide variety of valves.

Accordingly, the attachment mechanism 40 generally includes a clampassembly 66. Clamp assembly 66 includes first and second clamp membersconfigured to surround and securely engage opposing portions of the pipe30. In the illustrated embodiment, the first clamp member is a generallyu-shape bar 68 and the second clamp member is a block member 70slidingly received between respective arms of the u-shape bar 68. Eachof the clamp members includes a concave surface adapted to engage arespective opposing portion of the pipe 30. The concave surface can havea v-shape profile, a compound shape profile, or can be generallyrounded, depending on the application.

Clamp assembly 66 is slidingly received in an opening in a bottom of thebase housing portion 54. A bolt 72 is rotationally supported in housingportion 54 and fixed against axial movement relative to the housingportion 54 by one or more retainers (e.g., snap rings, washers or thelike). The bolt 72 is threadedly engaged with a nut/translating member73 that is fixed against rotation relative to housing portion 54. Thebolt 72 and nut/translating member 73 act as a lead screw for convertingrotational motion of the bolt 72 to linear motion of the nut/translatingmember 73. Accordingly, bolt 72 can be rotated in a first direction(e.g., clockwise) by rotating a handle 74 to thereby advancenut/translating member 73 and, consequently block member 70, downwardlyto compressively engage pipe 30. Opposite rotation of the handle 74permits disengagement of block member 70 and/or u-shape bar 68 from pipe30.

As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the handle 74 includes a tubular portionTP telescoped over the bolt 72. A base portion BP of the tubular portionTP includes a non-circular cross-section adapted to engage with acorresponding non-circular cross-sectional portion of the bolt 72 whenaxially aligned therewith for rotationally coupling the handle 74 andbolt 72. In this regard, the handle 74 is slidable axially along thebolt 72 from a first position recessed in the housing 37 to a second,raised position whereat the handle 74 extends above the housing 37 formanual operation. In the second position, the base portion BP of thehandle is axially aligned with the non-circular cross-sectional portionof the bolt 72, which in the illustrated embodiment is a hex head HH ofthe bolt 72. As will be appreciated, in the second position the handle74 is rotationally coupled to the bolt and can be readily turned by auser for installing/adjusting/removing the water valve shutoff unit 12in the manner described herein.

Vertical positioning of the clamp assembly 66 within the housing 37 and,consequently, the relative location of attachment of the water valveshutoff unit 12 to the pipe 30, is achieved by rotating bolt 72 toposition nut/translating member 73 and block member 70 at a desiredvertical position within the housing 37, and then sliding the u-shapebar 68 up into the housing 37 to trap the pipe 30 therebetween. To thisend, u-shape bar 68 is retained within housing 37 by a quick-releasemember 76.

With further reference to FIG. 8, quick-release member 76 includes ahandle portion 78 extending from the housing 37 and a pair of slottedarms 80 a and 80 b having slots 82 a and 82 b through which respectivearms A of the u-shape bar 68 extend when inserted into the housing 37.Quick-release member 76 is supported in the housing 37 for pivotingmovement between a locked position and a release position. In the lockedposition, the quick-release member 76 restricts withdrawal of theu-shape bar 68 from the housing 37, while permitting insertion of theu-shape bar 68 into the housing 37. That is, the u-shape bar 68 isrestricted from downward movement away from block 70. In the releaseposition, the quick-release member 76 allows withdrawal and/or removalof the u-shape bar 68 from the housing 37. The quick-release member 76is biased towards the locked position by a pair of biasing elements,which in the illustrated embodiment are compression springs S which acton each of the slotted arms 80 a and 80 b. To move the quick-releasemember 76 to the release position, a user simply lifts the quick-releasemember 76 upwardly away from the pipe 30 such that the slots 82 a and 82b are generally perpendicular to arms A of the u-shape bar 68.

It will be appreciated that the quick-release member 76, when in thelocked position, is positioned at an incline relative to the u-shape bar68 such that retraction of the u-shape bar 68 results in binding of thearms of the u-shape bar 68 within the slots 82 a and 82 b. Because thequick-release member 76 is supported in the housing 37 against furtherdownward pivoting beyond the locked position, the u-shape bar 68 isrestricted from withdrawal from the housing 37 due to this bindinginterference. Thus, as the bolt 72 is rotated to advance theout/translating member 73 and block member 70 downward, the u-shape bar68 remains fixed thus allowing the u-shape bar 68 and block member 70 tobe securely clamped to the pipe 30.

Release of the attachment mechanism 40 is effected by lifting thequick-release member 76 to a position such that the arms of the u-shapebar 68 extend generally perpendicular to slots 82 a and 82 b such thatno binding action occurs when the u-shape bar member 68 is draw downwardand out of the housing 17, thus releasing the water valve shutoff unit12 from the pipe 30.

It should be appreciated that as the quick-release member 76 is liftedupwardly and the u-shape bar 68 is released (e.g., free for withdrawalfrom the housing 37) the entire housing 37 can simply be lifted off ofthe pipe 30 and valve 32 in one swift motion. Accordingly, removal ofthe water valve shutoff unit 12 from the pipe 30 and valve 32 isintuitive, and can be performed by a person having little or noexperience with the unit prior to the need for removal arising.

Drive Unit

Returning to FIG. 5, drive unit 58 generally includes an actuator 50,which in the illustrated embodiment is a DC electric motor, and a powertransmission assembly 90 for transmitting the rotational motion of adrive shaft 92 of the actuator 50 to the output shaft 48 for drivinghandle engagement member 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the powertransmission assembly 90 generally includes a subhousing 95 to which theactuator 50 is attached. The subhousing 95 contains the powertransmission components rotationally coupling the drive shaft 92 withthe output shaft 48. To this end, and as best seen in FIG. 7, anintermediate gear 96 is mounted on a jackshaft 98, which is supportedfor rotation within the subhousing 95 by bearings or bushings, forexample. The intermediate gear 96 is coupled to a gear 100 associatedwith the drive shaft 92. A second, smaller intermediate gear 102 ismounted to jack shaft 98 and is engaged with output gear 104 mounted tooutput shaft 48. Output shaft 48 is similarly supported for rotationwithin subhousing 95 by bearings and/or bushings. The overall gearreduction in the exemplary embodiment can be between, for example,1000:1 and 3000:1. Of course, any suitable gear reduction can beprovided depending on various factors including required torque, motorsize, power supply specification, speed of operation, etc.

Output shaft 48 extends to an exterior of the housing 17. Locatingmember 42 is mounted to the output shaft 48 along with the handleengaging member 46. Locating member 42 is engaged with a base portion ofhandle 36 and provides additional support to the water valve shut-offunit 12. It will be appreciated that the locating member 42 isconfigured to align the water valve shut-off unit 12 relative to thevalve 32 by positioning the water valve shutoff unit 12 with respect tothe handle mounting nut 44 of the shutoff valve 32. The locating member42, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of replaceable sleeves orinserts that can accommodate a variety of nut sizes and/orconfigurations (or other fasteners) that are typically used to secure ahandle to a valve body.

As best shown in FIG. 7, the locating member 42 rests on handle 36around the nut 44 and is not rotationally interlocked with either of thehandle 36 or the nut 44. Thus, the locating member 42 merely locates thewater valve shut-off unit 12 relative to said nut 44 and facilitatespositioning of the attachment mechanism 40 relative to the pipe (orother structure) and handle engagement member 46 relative to the valvehandle 36. The locating member 42 further restricts lateral andtransverse movement of the water valve shutoff unit 12 relative to thepipe 30 once the attachment mechanism 42 is secured to the pipe 30. Thewater valve shutoff unit 12 thereby resists the torque moment inducedduring opening/closing of the valve at the point of attachment of theattachment mechanism 40 and at the locating member 42. However, becausethe locating member 42 is merely telescoped over the mounting nut 44,alignment and installation of the water valve shutoff unit 12 is easilyimplemented as compared to prior art approaches that use multipleu-bolts or the like for securement.

It will be appreciated that the power transmission assembly can begenerally modular and installed into the housing 17 as a unit. Thisfeature can facilitate scaling of the water valve shutoff unit 12 forvalves of different sizes and torque operating requirements by allowingthe same housing 17 to accommodate a wide range of actuators and/orpower transmissions. It should further be appreciated that the powertransmission assembly can include other components as desired to achievea suitable output RPM and torque range depending on the particularapplication.

Power Supply

In the illustrated embodiment, the power supply 60 includes both an ACpower supply and several (e.g., four) batteries 108 supported in abattery carriage 110 that in turn is supported within the housing 17 ina battery compartment 112. A battery compartment cover 114 is removablysecurable to the housing 17 to enclose the battery compartment. As willbe appreciated, the batteries 108 can be conventional batteries of acommon size, such as AA, C or D size batteries. The batteries providebackup power for operating the actuator in the case of AC power supplyfailure due to a power outage or the like. The power supply 60 iselectrically coupled to the actuator, user interface and other onboardelectronics for supplying power thereto.

User Interface

The user interface 62 generally includes a display portion 120 and oneor more user inputs 122, such as buttons. As will be appreciated, thedisplay portion can include one or more indicator lights, an LCD orother graphical display, and/or other components configured to conveyinformation to a user. In addition, one or more audible and/or visualalerts can be provided for alerting a user to the state of the watervalve shutoff unit 12. User inputs 122 can include buttons configured toallow a user to input various functions and/or program the unit.

Turning to FIG. 10, an adapter 120 is illustrated that can be used withthe unit 12 for allowing the unit to function with a valve having a knobK rather than a handle. Such valves may be either gate valves or ballvalves. Some valves, such as gate valves may require a plurality ofcomplete 360 degree rotations of the knob to open/close.

The exemplary adapter 120 is mountable to output shaft 48 is the samemanner as the locating member 42 and handle engagement member 46 of theprevious embodiment. That is, a retaining clip RC is adapted toselectively engage slot SL in the output shaft to retain the adapter 120thereon. When secured to the output shaft 48, the adapter 120 is fixedfor rotation therewith. The

Adapter 120 further includes a pair of pins 122 a and 122 b configuredto extend into openings in the knob K such that rotation of the adapter120 results in rotation of the knob K. As will be appreciated, theattachment mechanism 40 described above accommodated a range of verticalposition of the unit 12 such that the adapter 120 can be positioned withthe pins 122 a and 122 b properly extending into the openings of avariety of valve configurations. That is, a single adapter 120 can beused on in a number of different applications. Of course, adapters ofdifferent lengths can be provided for engagement with valveconfigurations that would fall outside of the adjustment range of theattachment mechanism 40.

It will be appreciated that the systems set forth herein can further beconfigured to generate and send an alert or notification when one ormore of the sensors is triggered and/or one or more of the valve shutoffunits are activated, and/or when other parameters are detected orindicated by the a component of the system. Such alerts can includeaudible alerts, such as an alarm, as well as text and/or email alertssent to one or more designated recipients, and/or other types ofnotifications that are part of the Android/iOS platforms (e.g., pushnotifications, icon badge, etc). Accordingly, the communicationinterface may include technology for transmitting/receiving a variety ofcommunication protocols including wifi, NFC, Bluetooth, etc. which maybe used for transmitting alerts and/or other information regarding thesystems.

In one embodiment, an application for a smartphone or other device maybe provided for communicating with one or more components of thesystems. For example, the application can be configured to access dataregarding valve state (open/closed) and/or sensor data (wet/dry,temperature, motion detected etc.) The application can be configured toallow a user to send a “valve close” signal to the actuator to close theshutoff valve whenever desired. The application can be configured toallow a remote user to monitor and interact (e.g., command) thecomponents of the system as if the remote user was not remote from thecomponents.

In some embodiments, the user can set rules for operation of the watervalve shutoff unit 12. For example, the user can configure the system toonly shutoff the water supply when the user is not known to be present.That is, in cases where the user is home, or otherwise in the immediatevicinity, the system can be configured to first send an alert to theuser before activating the shutoff valve 12. User presence can begleaned from various sources such as proximity or motion detectors in ahome, WIFI or Bluetooth connectivity a device associated with the user,etc. In some embodiments, an alert may be sent and, if no action istaken within a prescribed amount of time, the system may then activatethe shutoff valve 12 to shutoff the water. The app can include aninitialization module to help locate individual sensors and confirm thatthe sensors are within range of the shutoff valve unit and/or otherwiseoperating properly. The app can include an event log for tracking andtimestamping system events such as, open/close of valve, leak detection,connectivity alerts, etc. The app can also be used to toggle individualsensors between various modes. For example, it may be desirable to placeone or more sensors in a detection only mode wherein the sensor isconfigured to detect water and generate an alert, but no action is takenby the shutoff valve in response to the detected presence of water. Thiscan be useful for sensors that are configured to detect water leaks fromsources of water other than the household plumbing, such as HVACcondensation drain lines or pans, sump pumps, for example.

The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to thepreferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations willoccur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detaileddescription. It is intended that the exemplary embodiment be construedas including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they comewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An automatic valve actuator unit for usewith an associated manual shutoff valve configured to permit or restrictthe flow of fluid through an associated supply pipe, the unitcomprising: a housing; an attachment mechanism for securing the housingto at least one of the associated supply pipe or manual shutoff valve;and an actuator at least partially supported by the housing foractuating the associated shutoff valve; wherein the attachment mechanismincludes a clamp assembly having first and second cooperating clampmembers, the first and second cooperating clamp members being movablewithin the housing to adjust a point of attachment of the housing;wherein the first clamp member includes a clamp block supported forsliding movement within the housing between an upper and lower position,and wherein the second clamp member includes a removable u-shape clamp;the attachment mechanism including an adjustment member for adjustingthe position of the clamp block within the housing, the adjustmentmember operative to move the clamp block between the upper and the lowerpositions; and wherein the adjustment member includes a lead screwincluding a threaded shaft with a non-circular cross-sectional portion,and a handle member including a tubular portion telescoped over thethreaded shaft, the tubular portion including a non-circularcross-sectional portion corresponding in shape to the non-circularcross-sectional portion of the shaft, the handle member being slidableaxially along the threaded shaft between a first position whereat thenon-circular cross-sections are not axially aligned and the threadedshaft and handle member are not rotationally interlocked, to a secondposition whereat the non-circular cross-sections are at least partiallyaligned thereby rotationally interlocking the handle member and thethreaded shaft for actuation of the lead screw.
 2. The automatic valveactuator unit of claim 1, wherein an output shaft of the actuatorincludes a locating member supported at a distal end thereof fornon-rotatingly engaging a surface of a valve handle of the associatedmanual shutoff valve adjacent a point of attachment of the handle to theassociated manual shutoff valve, the locating member configured tocenter the output shaft over an axis of rotation of the handle of theassociated manual shutoff valve.
 3. The automatic valve actuator unit ofclaim 2, further comprising a handle engaging member fixed to the outputshaft for rotation therewith, the handle engaging member having au-shape cross-section for engaging opposite sides of a handle of theassociated manual shutoff valve.
 4. The automatic valve actuator unit ofclaim 3, wherein the handle engaging member extends radially from theoutput shaft and is configured to engage the handle of the associatedmanual shutoff valve at a location spaced from an axis of rotation ofthe handle.
 5. The automatic valve actuator unit of claim 1, furthercomprising a quick-release member movable between a locked and unlockedposition for permitting or restricting withdrawal of the u-shape clampfrom the housing.
 6. The automatic valve actuator unit of claim 1,wherein the actuator includes a battery-powered electric motor operablyconnected to the output shaft via a gear train, the battery-poweredelectric motor being supported by the housing at a position between theattachment mechanism and the output shaft.
 7. A system comprising atleast one sensor configured to detect the presence of water and theautomatic valve actuator unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein thesensor is configured to transmit a signal to the automatic valveactuator unit to close the associated manual shutoff valve when water isdetected.
 8. An attachment mechanism for securing an automatic valveactuator unit to a pipe or other structure in proximity to a manualvalve actuator comprising: a clamp assembly having first and secondcooperating clamp members, the first and second cooperating clampmembers being movable within a housing of the automatic valve actuatorunit to adjust a point of attachment of the housing; wherein the firstclamp member includes a clamp block supported for sliding movementwithin the housing between an upper and lower position, and wherein thesecond clamp member includes a removable u-shape clamp; the attachmentmechanism including an adjustment member for adjusting the position ofthe clamp block within the housing, the adjustment member operative tomove the clamp block between the upper and the lower positions; andwherein the adjustment member includes a lead screw including a threadedshaft with a non-circular cross-sectional portion, and a handle memberincluding a tubular portion telescoped over the threaded shaft, thetubular portion including a non-circular cross-sectional portioncorresponding in shape to the non-circular cross-sectional portion ofthe shaft, the handle member being slidable axially along the threadedshaft between a first position whereat the non-circular cross-sectionsare not axially aligned and the threaded shaft and handle member are notrotationally interlocked, to a second position whereat the non-circularcross-sections are at least partially aligned thereby rotationallyinterlocking the handle member and the threaded shaft for actuation ofthe lead screw.
 9. The attachment mechanism of claim 8, furthercomprising a quick-release member movable between a locked and unlockedposition for permitting or restricting withdrawal and separation of theu-shape clamp from the housing.
 10. The attachment mechanism of claim 9,wherein the quick-release member includes a pair of slotted arms eachhaving a slot through which respective arms of the u-shape clamp extendwhen the u-shape bar is within the housing.
 11. The attachment mechanismof claim 10, wherein the quick-release member is supported by thehousing for pivoting movement between the locked and unlocked position.12. The attachment mechanism of claim 11, wherein the quick-releasemechanism is biased towards the locked position by at least one biasingelement.
 13. The attachment mechanism of claim 11, wherein thequick-release mechanism is movable from the unlocked position whereatthe slots in the slotted arms are perpendicular to the respective armsof the u-shape clamp to the locked position whereat the slots in theslotted arms are at an acute angle with respect to the arms of theu-shape clamp.
 14. A method of converting a manual shutoff valve to anautomatic shutoff valve comprising: providing an automatic valveactuator unit including: a housing; an attachment mechanism for securingthe housing to at least one of the associated supply pipe or manualshutoff valve; and an actuator at least partially supported in thehousing and having an output shaft extending from the housing; whereinthe attachment mechanism includes a clamp assembly having first andsecond cooperating clamp members, the first and second cooperating clampmembers being movable within the housing to adjust a point of attachmentof the housing; wherein the first clamp member includes a clamp blocksupported for sliding movement within the housing between an upper andlower position, and wherein the second clamp member includes a removableu-shape clamp; the attachment mechanism including an adjustment memberfor adjusting the position of the clamp block within the housing, theadjustment member operative to move the clamp block between the upperand the lower positions; and wherein the adjustment member includes alead screw including a threaded shaft with a non-circularcross-sectional portion, and a handle member including a tubular portiontelescoped over the threaded shaft, the tubular portion including anon-circular cross-sectional portion corresponding in shape to thenon-circular cross-sectional portion of the shaft, the handle memberbeing slidable axially along the threaded shaft between a first positionwhereat the non-circular cross-sections are not axially aligned and thethreaded shaft and handle member are not rotationally interlocked, to asecond position whereat the non-circular cross-sections are at leastpartially aligned thereby rotationally interlocking the handle memberand the threaded shaft for actuation of the lead screw; positioning theautomatic valve actuator unit over the manual shutoff valve; securingthe automatic valve actuator unit to the manual shutoff valve or otheradjacent structure with the attachment mechanism; and coupling theoutput shaft of the actuator to an actuator of the manual shutoff valve.15. The method of claim 14, wherein the securing further includespositioning the first clamp member on a first side of the manual shutoffvalve or adjacent structure, inserting the second clamp member into thehousing from an opposite side of the manual shutoff valve or adjacentstructure such that the manual valve member or other adjacent structureis trapped between the first and second clamp members, and clamping themanual shutoff valve or other adjacent structure therebetween by drawingthe first and second clamp members together with the adjustment member.16. The method of claim 15, wherein the quick-release member ismaintained in the unlocked position until the second clamp member isfully inserted into the housing.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thequick-release member is maintained in the locked position when theadjustment member is used to draw the first and second clamp memberstogether.